Monday, July 23, 2007

Stelvio Cipriani - Tentacoli

Speaking of Italian ripoffs of the 70's and 80's, this is Stelvio Cipriani's music from Tentacoli (Tentacles). Essentially Jaws with an octopus, Tentacles, directed by Ovidio G. Assonitis (of Chi Sei? fame), was released on an unsuspecting public in the summer of 1977. Like Jaws, it's cast was made up of very talented actors (Shelley Winters, Henry Fonda, John Huston), but unlike Jaws, Tentacles just didn't turn out very well and is considered by many to be among the very worst of the many, many Jaws ripoffs out there. Of course, like a large majority of Italian productions from the 60's, 70's and 80's (Tentacles was mostly shot in the US, with numerous American actors, but it was an Italian production) the music is very well done and makes for a great listen.

1. Small Town Pleasures (03:12)
2. She'll Never Come Back (02:47)
3. My Son's Friend Is A Champion Pisser (02:20)
4. Summer And Winter (02:33)
5. San Diego, Yellow Cab (02:48)
6. Happines is Having Two Killer Whales As Friends (03:54)
"Happines" Happiness is spelled wrong on the package
7. Too Risky A Day For A Regatta (03:44)
8. Sorry, I Have To Go (02:35)
9. Scotch For Two (01:54)
10. The Killer Whales' Game (02:27)
11. The Capture Of The Giant Octopus (01:45)
12. Two Old Kids (03:00)
13. Tentacles (04:21)

The film may be a dog (I've never seen it), but the soundtrack's a winner--then again, what should I have expected from Stelvio Cipriani? Speaking of dogs, track 7, "too risky a day for a regatta" sounds for all the world like the theme to Cani Arrabiata (sp?), aka "Dogs of War." Love the watery guitar in the first few tracks!Thanks!